Official Blog | Tuesday | January 6th, 2009

Oct
15

Lions Trade WR Williams to Cowboys

By Jeff

In 30 cities, Tuesday’s trade deadline came and passed without much news other than the occasional waived player. In the two long-time Thanksgiving host cities, Tuesday meant that Week Six was already history. In a trade that signaled a new era in this town Detroit sent WR Roy Williams to Dallas for three picks in 2009, including two on day one.

In the same essence of all that is good and bad with the Detroit Lions, Williams demonstrated that a change of scenery may be a good thing. As one fan said following hearing this trade, “I’m going to miss his celebrations after catching a 5-yard out, down 35 in the fourth.” Hopefully in joining his namesake counterpart in Dallas, he will stop with the outlandish statements and celebrations and stick to what he’s paid for - football. On one hand, he is on T.O.’s team and it is Mr. Owens who dictates the soundbites in Dallas.

Other Notes:

And since his mouth made more of an impact during his time in Detroit than his actual play, Jon Kitna was placed on Injured Reserve and will miss the rest of the 2008 season. Pretty funny since most fans will likely miss that same length of time and not notice his absence for one second.

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Oct
13

Vikings 12, Lions 10

By Jeff

At what point did you realize that the Lions were bound to have 0-5 next to their title in the standings? Was it before the game when you knew Roy Williams would be mentioned more in trade rumors than in catches made? Was it early on when Dan Orlovsky ran scared for a safety or the moment you realized Leigh Bodden had the team’s first pick? Was it at the end when Ryan Longwell sealed Detroit’s fate underneath the same dome where Tigers fans have had their hearts broken repeatedly? No matter when that moment finally came, it should come as no surprise that in an extremely down year in the NFC North, the Lions find themselves winless and out of it.

The team has made its rounds throughout the NFC North already this season and there is nothing positive to show from it. This team finally gave what looked like an effort on defense and it was totally squandered with lackluster plays down the stretch. Sure, the argument was made that the refs took this one away at the end, but the blame needs to be put squarely in the camp of the Lions from special teams to the coaching staff.

The result has been shameful on offense and it is almost mandatory that the Lions make a deal before Tuesday’s trade deadline. It has become clear that the product on the field is not adequate for the NFL level. In fact, I wouldn’t even have this team take on the Wolverines this season. The schedule provides no relief coming up including a suddenly difficult game next week in Houston. Put Matt Schaub and Steve Slaton on your fantasy teams immediately!

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Oct
07

Bears 34, Lions 7

By Jeff

Pathetic. Disturbing. Lackluster. It’s more than 24 hours after and it still has the sting of disbelief that we’ve sunk this low. This team had the opportunity to pull within one half game of first place in the pathetic NFC North and instead they are officially the worst of the worst. Did we really understand that Matt Millen’s impact will be left for months and years to come? After the latest attempt at professional football, the Lions have only proven that some of them need to leave town immediately.

 

Which is a bigger relief for Lions fans: The team that plays in week six in 2009 will be drastically different or The Lions do not play against the NFC East? Placing things into perspective, the Lions were blown out at home by the Bears and the Packers. With those two teams hovering at the sub .500 mark, that would make these losses of incredible significance. We are watching a team with no imagination on offense and a Tampa Two which is only Buccaneer-like by title.

 

How Jim Colletto is allowed to make play calls, I have no clue. At Purdue he led the Boilermakers to a stunning 21 wins over 6 seasons (or 3.5 wins/season) where the team was practically begging for new leadership after his departure. In each of his seasons in Baltimore coaching the O-line, he actually saw a steady decline in team production. By the end, the Ravens offense was considered the laughing stock of the league. Meet Jim Colletto’s background and you can clearly see why 14 rushes for 58 yards is the norm and not the exception. You’ll be able to understand that this team has scored more than half of its points when down by more than 2 possessions. This team is really bad and his role only makes this team worse. 12 to go in the road for 0-16.

Jim Colletto Coaches in Training Camp

Jim Colletto Coaches in Training Camp

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Oct
02

On Tap: A Must Win

By Jeff

This weekend brings the Bears to Ford Field along with the fleeting hopes of Lions fans. With the entire division crumbling down around them, the only optimism remaining is in regards to both division leaders sitting at .500, 1 1/2 games ahead of Detroit. With Millen no longer the thorn in the side of ticket holders, Lions fans will now hope that the preseason champs can finally get win no. 1 in week no. 5.

0-16 is a reasonable possibility for this team, as are the NFL playoffs. We’re mere weeks away from seeing Jon Kitna turn into a cheerleader and Roy Williams turning into trade bait. I believe the most likely scenario will be that the Lions win a few games they shouldn’t, or just enough to knock them out of the top draft pick position. Of course, these are the Lions and the unexpected and losing are two traits that have never died with this team.

The Bears come into this week with some momentum following a stunning 24-20 win over the Eagles on Sunday night. The Eagles outplayed Chicago for most of that second half and were the length of a football from taking the lead late in the fourth quarter. Kyle Orton is not a scary quarterback, and neither are the rest of the Bears. Urlacher is getting older and Lovie Smith’s seat is getting warmer. I guarantee that this will be the closest game of the year for the Lions solely based on the match-up. While I think the Lions will attempt to play in honor of their embattled coach, it will be hard to see even the Lions coming out with such a must win.

Lions and Bears set to hook up Sunday at Ford Field

Lions and Bears set to hook up Sunday at Ford Field

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Sep
24

Finally!

By Jeff

If there’s an economic crisis going on, you wouldn’t know it from the mood in town today. After one losing season after another and countless poor administrative moves, Matt Millen has been relieved of his duties from the Detroit Lions. For now, the “Fire Millen” signs can be put away or reworded to say “Fire Ford”, “Fire Lewand”, “Fire Marinelli” or perhaps “Fire Everybody”. As former teammate Mark Schlereth said earlier, “he (Millen) made some of the worst personnel moves I have ever seen in my time (20+ years) in the NFL.”

31-84 will forever shape the stained legacy of Millen in Detroit. He was brought with high praise to a team that was stuck in mediocrity-ville. With hopes he would take his 3 Super Bowl knowledge and shape that into winning football, he did completely the opposite. He once sniffed a seven game winning season. He also nearly saw his team go 0-16. His poor coaching choices will forever be brought up as a major question along with his knack for finding the most injury-prone receiver in the first round. Everything he did failed miserably, somehow earning an incredible extension a few years back.

With this move clearly the first of many until Fall 2009, it will be curious to see which domino falls next. The team has rid itself of its most obvious problem and now must decide what trash needs to go next.

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Sep
21

San Francisco 31, Detroit 13

By Jeff

Add J.T. O’Sullivan and Mike Martz to a list of ex-coaches and players who’ve proven that they were not the cancer that made the Lions the consistent failure that they have become. Marty Mornhinweg, Joey Harrington and Dick Jauron highlight a small sampling of players and coaches who found greener pastures and successes. This latest attempt by the Lions was a total disgrace. They were manhandled at every facet of the game by the San Francisco 49ers, and no, Steve Young, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice or even Garrison Hearst were not involved in this one.

If you wanted a reason to think the Lions still had some hope this season, then you better quickly wash away the memories of this one. Why is it, that bottom dwellers like the Buffalo Bills or the Miami Dolphins now look like they’re back to their glory days under Jim Kelly and Bob Griese, respectively. Do you remember when every team, including the Royals, would make a run at the AL Central but the Tigers? Do you remember when the Pistons kept finding themselves in the path of the Bulls next championship run? We’ve hit that same feeling where you can’t help but wonder why it’s everyone else.

Your top receiver today - Rudi Johnson, 48 yards. Dan Orlovsky’s numbers - 0/1, 1 INT. The Lions recorded one sack. If you’ve thought you saw it all this week, wait until next week when backup Kevin Jones runs all over the Honolulu blue and silver. Oh wait - there’s a bye week first, which the 0-3 Lions worked so hard to earn.

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Sep
09

Ford Family Should Sell Lions

By Steve

Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons is a huge indication as to how the 2008-09 season is going to play out for the Detroit Lions.  In truth, it will be much like most of the seasons in the last half century: frustrating and embarrassing.

William Clay Ford Sr. has owned the Detroit Lions outright since 1964.  In the 44 years he’s been at the helm, the Detroit Lions have won exactly one playoff game.  Prior to Ford’s ownership, the Detroit Lions were one of the most storied professional football teams in the country.  Their championships date back to nearly the beginning in 1935.  In the 1950s they dominated the football world as they won three titles and were perennial favorites.

Why the breakdown?

I’m convinced that: a) Ford doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing; and b) He doesn’t really care whether or not the team wins or loses.

The Lions are more or less a hobby for Ford, a man who inherited great wealth created by his pioneering grandfather, Henry.  In many ways, he’s the polar opposite of his legendary relative who, I’m sure, would have never settled for such a string of failure.

Ford’s entire record is a patchwork mess of failed draft picks, management and coaches.  Each one, a doomed stunt to turn around a team with a plagued culture that starts at the top. 

Let’s be honest.  This gang of Fords isn’t even qualified to run Henry’s automobile company, which teeters on the verge of bankruptcy.  Detroit has witnessed many of the same superficial approaches by Bill Ford Jr. to turn Ford Motor Company around that his father has tried with the Lions.  In essence, the Ford clan has run both entities into the ground. 

The Fords are a country club set severely out of their element in today’s rough and tumble NFL.  Sure, they’ve got a lot of money, but they lack the drive and know-how to put a winning team on the field.  Their moves are usually superficial — the type of things an emotional adolescent would do if he were in charge.

How many times can we blame and fire the coach?  Leadership starts at the top — the very top — and all roads lead to the failed leadership of the Ford family.

Mr. Ford, it’s time for you to say goodbye to your Detroit Lions.  It’s time to sell them to an innovative team owner who’ll try a new approach and who won’t settle for mediocrity.  Please, Mr. Ford, for your own good and the good of this entire region, sell the team.

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Sep
07

Falcons 34, Lions 21

By Jeff

Matt Ryan is not Doug Flutie, but they both went to Boston College. Michael Turner is not LaDainian Tomlinson, but he was his backup in San Diego. This may not be your older brother or sister’s Atlanta Falcons, but these were still the same old Detroit Lions. On Sunday, in front of a packed Georgia Dome, the Detroit Lions proved that the preseason means nothing losing by a much larger margin than the score suggests - Atlanta 34 Detroit 21.

This past week it was the Lions who made all the news in their backfield with the signing of Rudi Johnson, on Sunday it was a Falcons team that a rookie quarterback does not need to throw the ball that much when they have a good line and some solid backs. Remember Jerious Norwood? He out gained the entire Lions team by 30 yards. In fact, the Falcons gained a team record of 318 yards on the Lions “defense”.

On a bright side, Calvin Johnson was solid. His homecoming proved to be a strong performance. His health looks to no longer be an issue and I believe he’ll prove enough of an asset to send Roy Williams packing before next season. On the down side, Jon Kitna’s goal line decision-making proved to be inept. Detroit should have easily put up six touchdowns on this Falcons team. The defense looks as bad as ever. How can a team give up three touchdowns of at least 50 yards? These are the Lions after all.

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson.
Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson.

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Sep
04

Rudi! Rudi! Rudi!

By Jeff

A few days ago I wrote an entry about Kevin Smith, who at the time, looked to be the rising star in the Lions backfield. He looked to have a carte blanche when it came to the upcoming season with only a struggling Tatum Bell and a lagging Artose Pinner as potential obstacles. Who would have known that a few days later a move in Cincinnati would have set off a chain of events that included some personnel changes, lost luggage and a new look on the future - consider this your average holiday travel season.

Let’s get this out of the way - the Dre Bly trade to Denver was a complete disaster. Sure the Lions got rid of what was seemingly a cancer in the locker room, but the alternative seems to be essentially George Foster and his continuous penalties. Then the news today that Rudi Johnson’s Gucci bags apparently found their way to Tatum Bell’s vehicle along with his clothes and around $200. Bell may have had a shot at one of 31 other teams, that was until he decided to pull his latest class act. This move comes from the same guy who felt that Mike Martz didn’t give him a great chance, so he showed up this preseason and had a total of 30 yards. Yes, that’s a total and that’s very bad.

For Rudi Johnson, he showed that this was the job that he wanted the most. His willingness to learn the playbook as soon as possible along with his history of success in Cincy demonstrated that he was looking to prove himself again. This Sunday in Atlanta, Johnson will join Smith in the backfield for the Lions, a look that Lions fans will surely enjoy. Clearly the combos of the past few years have not worked effectively and this change is one potential bright spot when the season starts Sunday.

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Aug
25

Hello and Good Knight

By Jeff

The landscape for a running back in the NFL has changed dramatically in the past few years. Ask any fantasy football owner and the decision of a top running back now also involves potential short yardage specialists and goal line backs. In 2006, the four NFC starting backs were Ahman Green (GB), Chester Taylor (MIN), Kevin Jones (DET) and Thomas Jones (CHI). Now, a mere 20 months since each player last saw meaningful playing time, all four men are in different points in their careers, well from the positions which found them the most acclaim.

Of all men listed above, only Kevin Jones finds himself on one of the other divisional teams looking for the starting position. Drafted out of Virginia Tech, he wore the #34 at Ford Field, a hope that most fans would quickly forget of the James Stewart days in Detroit. His career in Honolulu blue and silver seemed to be the same old story over an injury-marred four seasons. 3,000-plus yards and 24 touchdowns over this time amounted to the equivalent of receiving a birthday card without a check from a close family member. Kevin Jones is now a Bear, where he finds himself a fortunate benefactor of Cedric Benson’s troubles.

The next #34 in Detroit Lions history was recently highlighted as the top play this past weekend on SportsCenter for an incredible run against the Browns in preseason game no. 3. Kevin Smith is hoping that, like Daunte Culpepper before him, he hopes to prove that the Univ. of Central Florida or UCF is a viable breeding ground of NFL-caliber prospects. While the college competitive scenery in Florida has extended to schools like USF and Florida Atlantic, UCF can boast they have had two players in the past 10 years receive Heisman trophy first place votes. Smith and the legs that ran his incredible 2,567 yards last season are now prepared to haul many hopes of the remaining Lions faithful. The exact role of Smith remains undetermined, but it won’t take much to be a better #34 than the two men before him.

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